Microsoft has announced a major launch event in New York where it is widely expected to reveal the latest Surface hardware, and it looks like there could be a surprise in store for Surface Laptop fans.
Taking place on October 2nd, the latest information is that Microsoft will be updating the Surface Laptop portfolio to include its first 15-inch model. Although the Surface Book has a 15-inch screen option (and Apple is heavily rumored to up the 15-inch MacBook Pro to a 16-inch display, assuming Apple really cares about this market), the appearance of the 15-inch option with the Surface Laptop opens up a new audience to Microsoft.
I would expect any 15-inch Surface Laptop to follow in the shadow of both the existing Laptop and the larger Surface Book machines to continue using the 3:2 ratio screens. With the higher price of the Surface Book, having a Surface Laptop option with the larger screens opens up a different market segment that is looking for the expansive screen at a lower price point.
I’m more intrigued by the chipset options. Until now Microsoft has worked with Intel, but there have been some indications that AMD has been under consideration in the past, as reported here on Forbes over the summer:
There’s a strong argument that if Microsoft is looking to keep the ecosystem in balance then it should be looking at other manufacturers such as AMD. Not only does that show other manufacturers that Windows 10 is not just for Intel silicon, it ensures that Microsoft and AMD share competencies that can ensure a wide and varied pool of components.
Qualcomm is also an option for Microsoft, especially if it is looking for 4G LTE and 5G connectivity in the future, but I would expect the more mobile and enterprise-focused Surface Go to be a better fit for Qualcomm’s 8CX chipset launched earlier this year.
Three devices are on deck and ready for some upgrades at the October launch event. One is the aforementioned Surface Laptop which looks a sure bet, as does the next generation Pro in the form of the Surface Pro 7. But anticipation is cooling on the potential of a third Surface Book.
And will we see a dual-screened Surface break cover? We’ll find out at the start of next month.
Now read more about the new features a Surface Pro 7 will need to find success…
